Mountain Bay State Trail: Bowler to Shawano

The Mountain Bay State Trail travels between Bowler and Shawano through secluded forests and hidden farm fields. This segment of the path sees the least amount of trail-goers. It also is a longer section to ride with few intermittent trailheads. However, this trail segments is perfect for bicyclists who enjoy a solitude ride through picturesque countryside.

Two trailhead locations are located on the west side of Bowler. One is at a DNR Ranger Station, and the other is at an adjacent village park. Both sites are suitable to start a ride, although no facilities are available except a covered picnic shelter at the park. However, the ranger station offers a charming view of the North Branch of the Embarrass River. The little river flows behind the ranger station, babbling over rocks. It passes under a covered bridge and two small log footbridges. It is a perfect spot to enjoy nature and take pictures.

Bowler is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 29. Take County Highway D in Shawano County north for 6.5 miles. In Bowler, turn left (west) on W. Rollman Street. The village park and DNR Ranger Station are located there, next to the Mountain Bay State Trail.

The village of Bowler first developed in the mid-1870s. The main economies were lumbering and farming. When the Chicago and Northwestern Railway was surveying for a new line between Green Bay and Eland Junction, this location was chosen as a stop. A depot was soon erected and by 1905, a small community had sprung up.

Bowler’s name may have come from an attorney for the railroad or Colonel J. C. Bowler (who owned land nearby). Today, the village serves basic needs with two small parks, some taverns, and a gas station with an expanded convenience store.

It is 21.8 miles on the Mountain Bay State Trail from Bowler to Sturgeon Park in Shawano. In Bowler, the trail crosses County Road D (W. Main Street) and proceeds east through the little town. It enters a large forest and crosses the North Branch of the Embarrass River.

Two miles east of Bowler, the trail again crosses the Embarrass River. It is much wider at this location due to the confluence with Henning Creek and a dam downriver in Tilleda. The Embarrass River is considered a premium trout fishing stream because of its clear water, sandy bottom, and quick current.

The Mountain Bay State Trail continues east through thick forest for another 4.5 miles. Along the way, it passes through a section of land belonging to the Stockbridge-Munsee Native American community. Near the tribal land, the trail crosses Mill Creek. Further down the trail, it weaves four times over the winding Kroenke Creek.

Wildlife is commonly seen in this forested area. White-tail deer, black beer, raccoon, and other animals may be spotted. Owls, hawks, and sandhill cranes are often heard. While the outlying countryside is not always visible due to the dense forest surrounding the trail, it runs between two large moraine ridges for about 3.5 miles east of Mill Creek.

About 7 miles east from the Bowler trailhead, a historical marker is found on the northern side of the trail. It conveys the story of a deadly train wreck. In 1912, an eastbound train traveling too fast for rainy conditions hit a washout and left the tracks. Six people lost their lives. An open space east of the marker is where the locomotive landed that day.

Nine miles from Bowler, the trail arrives in the little community of Lyndhurst. There is no trailhead there, but a park bench, information sign, and self-service pay station are found alongside the trail. A tavern is located to the north off the trail, across Grunewald Street.

The surface of the Mountain Bay State Trail is in good condition throughout this section. The grade is level, and descends from Bowler to Shawano. Horseback riding is permitted on the trail in Shawano County. There are limited facilities along the route, except for covered picnic tables every few miles. On warm days, biting flies may be bothersome when stopping on the trail, especially iwhen the wind is calm.

It is 7.8 miles from Lyndhurst to Thornton. The path traverses some forests, but farm fields become more prevalent. There are patches of poison ivy off the trail. Near Thornton, a picnic table aside the path offers a simple rest area.

The trail abruptly ends at Maple Avenue, 16.8 miles east of Bowler. Cyclists are directed to take country roads for 4.3 miles before returning to the trail. The are no bike lanes marked on the pavement of these roads, but signs indicate the route. Other signs remind drivers that state law requires 3 feet of distance between vehicles and bicycles, when passing.

The route turns left (north) onto Maple Avenue and goes for 0.3 mile. It then turns right (east) on Oak Avenue. After 2.2 miles, the route turns right (south) onto Poplar Road and proceeds 1.4 miles. Then it turns right (south) onto County Road MM. The trail resumes to the left (east) after 0.4 mile south on the county road.

The trail resumes on the east side of County Road MM, and heads by several industries before crossing the Wolf River over a large bridge. The bridge provides an impressive view of the river and dam. After crossing the river, Sturgeon Park is located to the north.

Sturgeon Park serves as a possible trailhead. It is named for the prehistoric fish that swim upriver to spawn every spring. The park has a parking lot, covered picnic shelter, park benches, and interpretive markers. No public restrooms are there.

Another option is to continue biking a half mile east on the trail to the restored 1904 Chicago Northwestern Railroad Depot. This trailhead has a large parking lot, public restrooms, picnic tables, and park benches.

Sturgeon Park is at 801 S. Water Street, and the Depot is at 620 S. Main Street. These trailheads are reached by driving north into Shawano on Wisconsin State Highway 22 (S. Main Street) from its intersection with Wisconsin State Highway 29. Drive 1.3 miles to the depot. On the other side of the street, W. Oshkosh Street leads off to the west. Take that road 0.5 mile, and drive around the corner on S. Water Street to reach Sturgeon Park.

A county seat and a popular tourist destination, Shawano is located on the Wolf River and Shawano Lake. Shawano County Park, Heritage County Park, and the Shawano County Historical Society are found nearby.

Downtown Shawano offers plenty of places to grab a treat or enjoy a meal. Fannita’s Bakery and Angie’s Main Café, both on S. Main Street, are popular local businesses. The Stubborn Brothers Brewery has repurposed a restored historic theater on S. Main Street, serving craft brews and food. The Wolf River Porter and Shawano Club Pilsner are favorites. Appetizers of brussels sprouts and beer-battered cheese curds pair nicely with these craft brews.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

Twig’s Beverages is another fun place to visit. The company produces specialty soft drinks, including Sundrop soda. Their bottling plant has been operating since 1951. Twig’s museum includes a wide assortment of free soft drink samples. It is found on S. Franklin Street.

The name “Shawano” comes from the Menominee language. In English, Sāwanoh is translated as “south.” The area has been the scene of several waves of emigration, but the first inhabitants were members of the Menominee and Ojibwe nations. They lived there long before contact with Europeans. In the 1840s and 1850s, white American entrepreneurs came to the area looking to capitalize on lumber. During the late 1800s, German settlers arrived in Shawano County to farm. Shawano was organized as a village in 1871, and incorporated as a city in 1874.

Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2021.